Cowboys Minicamp: Micah Parsons suggests he expects disagreements with new DC Mike Zimmer
Micah Parsons' biggest Dallas Cowboys characteristic might just be his uncanny ability to keep his names on the headlines.Whether it's through jaw-dropping plays, random sumo fights, or not attending to voluntary workouts, he keeps himself in the conversation, intentionally or not. It took Parsons one day of minicamp to prove it even further.When talking to […]
Micah Parsons' biggest Dallas Cowboys characteristic might just be his uncanny ability to keep his names on the headlines.
Whether it's through jaw-dropping plays, random sumo fights, or not attending to voluntary workouts, he keeps himself in the conversation, intentionally or not. It took Parsons one day of minicamp to prove it even further.
When talking to reporters, he made some eyebrow-raising comments about his work relationship with new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, suggesting that he expects arguments about how to do things between the two of them.
“Honestly, me and (Zimmer) have probably said a total of 20 words to each other," Parsons told reporters via Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken. "He’s a very quiet person. All I keep hearing from the coaches is, ‘Zimm likes it this way.’ I was like, ‘Well, I like it this way.’ So, I can’t wait to have my true sit-down with him."
When that sit-down finally happens, Parsons expects an old-school mentality from Zimmer, who is known to have a militaristic approach to coaching, which contrasts with Dan Quinn's player's coach style.
But the most interesting part is the "Well, I like it this way" nugget from Parsons. Although we can't know for sure, I'd bet Parsons isn't talking about details such as how they're fitting the run or how they're calling a certain call. Instead, my money is on Micah talking about his position. Some fans have speculated Zimmer would like Parsons to play off-ball linebacker even though the coach hasn't come out and said it and it's (so far) make believe.
Parsons has said before that he's open to play whatever role they ask of him in the playoffs, which suggests such willingness is for January games only and not in the regular season, when he has dominated as a pass rusher, consistently receiving Defensive Player of the Year votes.
"I think he’s had a lot of great players, but he ain’t ever have a Micah before. It will be fun, and I think it’s going to be unique." Parsons added. "Also, there are some things that I’ve got to get used to, too. It’s going to be a compromisable relationship. There’s going to be things he’s like, ‘I’m not going to give on. I don’t give on.’ That’s part of the regime, you know?”
The fact that Parsons alluded multiple times to he and Zimmer potentially arguing about anything and having a "compromisable relationship" is guaranteed to raise some eyebrows.
Cowboys fans should expect Parsons to stay at edge rusher given his success there (and the financial implications of playing one of the most lucrative positions in the game, of course). But seeing what Zimmer's input on the whole thing is will be something to keep an eye on.
None of this means Parsons isn't excited about working with his new coach, though:
“There’s a lot of similarities on things to how he uses me to how Dan (Quinn) used me in the system, but he has more twists and turns of how he’s going to set things up."
